492 



found in an ordinary blood-vessel system, Tvitli normal elastic walls. 

 Bleeding is only permissible at the outset of the disease when the 

 tumors are still isolated. When the tumefaction has coalesced all the 

 blood is required to oxidize the mass of effused colloid matter. 



Hygiene now comes into play as the most important factor. Oats, 

 oat and liay tea, milk, eggs, anything which the stomach or rectum can 

 be coaxed to take care of, must be employed to give the nutriment 

 which is the only thing that will permanently strengthen the tissues, 

 and they must be strengthened in order to keep the capillaries at their 

 proper caliber. 



Laxatives, diaphoretics, and diuretics must be used to stimulate the 

 emunctories so that they shall carry off the large amount of the prod- 

 ucts of decomposition, which result from the stagnated effusions of 

 anasarca. Of these the sulphate of soda in small repeated doses, and 

 the nitrate of potash and bicarbonate of soda in small quantity, and 

 the chlorate of potash in single large doses, will be found useful. 

 Williams cites the chlorate of potash as an antiputrid ; it is useful, I 

 believe, because it frees oxygen, and oxygen is a chemical purifier. 



Stimulants and astringents are directly indicated. The animal wants 

 wakening up, everything in it wants a shock, and a belt to hold it in 

 place. Spirits of turpentine serves the double purpose of a cardiac 

 stimulant and a powerful warm diuretic, for the kidneys in this disease 

 will stand a wonderful amount of work. Camphor can be used with 

 advantage. Coffee and tea are two of the diffusible stimulants which 

 are too much neglected in veterinary medicine ; both are valuable ad- 

 juncts in treatment in anasarca, as they are during convalescence at 

 the end of any grave disease which has tended to render the patient 

 anfemic. Dilute sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid are perhaps the 

 best examples of a combination of stimulant, astringent, and tonic 

 which can be employed. The simple astringents of mineral origin, sul- 

 phates of iron, copper, etc., are useful as digestive tonics ; I doubt if 

 they have any constitutional effect. The vegetable astringents, tannic 

 acid, etc., have not proved efficacious in my hands. Iodide of potash 

 in small doses serves the triple purpose of digestive tonic, denutritive 

 for inflammation, and diuretic. 



^.rfenia//]/.— Sponging the swollen parts, especially the head, when 

 the swelling occurs here, is most useful. The bath should be at an ex- 

 treme of temperature — either ice-cold to constrict the tissues, or hot 

 water to act as an emollient and to favor circulation. Vinegar may be 

 added as an astringent. When we have excessively denuded surfaces^ 

 suppuration, or open wounds, disinfectants should be added to the 

 wash. 



In cases of excessive swelling, especially of the head, mechanical re- 

 lief may be required. Punctures of the part should be made with the 

 hot iron even in country practice, as no other disease so predisposes to 

 septic contamination. When mechanical asphyxia is threatened tra- 



